Kids scramble to avoid being hit by embers – February 2024. The fireworks were lit at the Palisades Recreation Center and no one was ever held accountable.
By LOUISE FRASER
Why Pacific Palisades Needs Its Own Police Station Now
Residents of Pacific Palisades, reeling from tragedy caused by inadequate resources at every level, are demanding the immediate establishment of a local police station. Even before the fire, residents faced escalating crime that demanded urgent action. Those demands went ignored. As a result, we faced rising home invasions, burglaries, and lawlessness among youth which left us not only vulnerable to crime but ultimately devastated by a preventable tragedy. The recent deadly Palisades Fire, allegedly ignited by illegal firework activity that residents have demanded be addressed by the LAPD for years, underscores the need for a stronger and more immediate police presence.
Rising Crime Rates, Delayed Response Times, and a Preventable Tragedy
Regarding home invasions alone, between January 1 and October 22, 2024, Pacific Palisades reported 76 burglaries, one every few days—a 13.4% increase from the same period in 2023. Residents have repeatedly voiced frustration over police response times, reportedly exceeding 40 minutes. This lag allows criminals ample opportunity to loot and flee before authorities arrive, leaving victims – many of whom have been held at gun or knife point, including children – feeling abandoned and powerless. We demand a commitment to typical response time of 10 mins or less for a crime in progress, which can only be provided by a local force.
Further, reports from community centers indicate ongoing youth delinquency, including explosions and vandalism occurring several times per week. Residents have long warned of inevitable tragedy from unchecked illegal firework activity, begging for a police response for years. As a result of inaction, our community now lies devastated – 27 dead, 7000 properties destroyed, and an estimated economic cost of hundreds of billion dollars that will inevitably be shouldered by taxpayers. The rationale that we ‘cannot afford’ crime prevention is utterly flawed. The lack of proactive enforcement against illegal fireworks directly contributed to this catastrophic event. The taxpayer should no longer bear the daunting consequences of poor city planning.
Funding a Dedicated Police Station
Pacific Palisades contributes significantly to Los Angeles’ tax base, yet it lacks a dedicated police station to ensure the safety of its residents. Overall, the LAPD serves around 4 million people with 10,000 officers, a ratio of 1 officer per 400 residents. Santa Monica, with a population of 89,000, employs 250 police officers, a ratio of 1 officer per 356 residents. It is long overdue that the Palisades, with 23,000, receives commensurate police presence. As evidenced by the recent deadly fire, funding a Police Station is ultimately a cost saving measure.
A Call to Action
Residents of Pacific Palisades cannot afford to wait for another tragedy before action is taken. It is imperative that city officials prioritize the establishment of a local police station to address crime, reduce response times, and prevent future disasters like the Palisades Fire. Residents are tired of being told that we have to wait for homicides to occur before we are allocated proper police resources. This is reckless and unacceptable. Crime prevention should not be reactive but proactive—addressing rising burglaries, home invasions, and violent threats before they escalate into fatal incidents. Each crime, no matter how seemingly minor, contributes to a culture of lawlessness that emboldens criminals – or, as recently evidenced, the destruction of an entire community. How much more tragedy must we endure before we receive the protection we deserve?
Please help by signing the petition click here., emailing Councilmember Traci Park councilmember.park@lacity.org and Mayor Karen Bass mayor.helpdesk@lacity.org
We have been sorely neglected by the police dept. I suggested on Nextdoor that we, as citizens, respond to the rampant and ongoing problems with fireworks. That we show up enmass whenever there is a report of fireworks and fires. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to make this a reality.
The police, as far as I know, have made ZERO arrests at the Highlands Trailhead, Rec Center, Asilomar or Via de las Olas since 2016. That is a problem.